The Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board approved $4,387,032.75 in funding for 96 research and promotion projects at its March 12–13, 2026 public meeting, according to a March 18 announcement. The projects are intended to support the growth and market development of Arkansas’s soybean industry.
“The Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board is entrusted with allocating checkoff funds and ensuring that investments are made to secure the tools and resources needed to support growth and competitiveness. Each year, the board convenes to consider promotion and research project proposals and to determine which projects best benefit Arkansas’s soybean industry and producers, the state’s top row crop,” said Brad Doyle, Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board Chair.
The board received 111 proposals requesting more than $5.2 million in funding. Of these, 31 promotion projects totaling $669,378.00 and 65 research projects totaling $3,717,654.75 were approved for fiscal year 2027. The request for proposals was open from December 5, 2025 to January 31, 2026.
Promotion project recipients include organizations such as the American Soybean Association, Arkansas FFA Foundation, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, U.S. Soybean Export Council, Clean Fuels Alliance America, Cross County Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee, Botanical Garden of the Ozarks and others. Projects range from educational programs like Ag Learning Center at Four States Fair & Rodeo to international marketing efforts such as U.S. Soy Promotion in Europe.
Research funding will support work on irrigation recommendations for soybean production; genetic resistance against pests; improved seed quality; market expansion through nutrition education; remote sensing tools using drones; breeding drought-tolerant lines; yield gap analysis; disease management strategies; fertilizer recommendations related to cover crops; among other topics led by entities including Chicot Insights LLC., Mid-South Soybean Board and University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
The board is funded through an assessment of .25 percent of the market price of all soybeans grown within Arkansas collected by first purchasers at point of sale. It consists of nine members who are soybean producers appointed by the Governor for two-year terms confirmed by the Senate.
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture oversees funding through boards that allocate millions for research, extension and market development in commodities such as rice and soybeans (official website). The department manages an agricultural sector contributing more than $24.3 billion annually with about 37,400 farms spanning roughly 13.7 million acres (official website). It also promotes access to safe water supplies (official website), maintains statewide reforestation efforts through Baucum Nursery (official website), honors outstanding forest management with its Forest Stewards recognition (official website), and serves as a state government agency focused on resource conservation and industry support (official website).
More information about current board members can be found as listed on the official roster page.
